I truly believe that all believers in Y'shua (Jesus) have a deep seated desire to
trust and obey the Lord God. Don't you?

Additionally, as children of God, when we search the Scriptures, we do intend on keeping
all the words addressed to us, especially all things connected with the Ten commandments.
(Exodus 20).
One of these very important statutes is 'Thou shalt not steal'. Another way of putting
it is found in Malachi 3:8,"Will a man rob God?"

I am sure that you would agree with me in saying, NO, a thousand times NO! We do not
want to; now, or at any other time. God forbid that we would ever consider robbing
God.

KEEPING EVERYTHING IN CONTEXT

Keeping everything in context is necessary, especially when we look into Malachi 3:8,
we immediately notice that it has much to say about our TITHES and OFFERINGS. The
Hebrew word for TITHES is MAASER, and for OFFERINGS, it is MINCHAH. TITHING first
appears in the Holy Bible in Genesis 14:20 in connection with Abraham and Melchizedek. A
similar portion of Scripture in The New Testament is found in Hebrews 7: 4-10,
where we are also made aware of the wonderful opportunity to please the Almighty
God in presenting our TITHES to Him.

ON THE OTHER HAND

On the other hand, OFFERINGS first appear in the Scriptures in Genesis 4:4-5. The
Lord gives us a wonderful example in the lives of Cain and Abel in the area of bringing
their OFFERINGS unto the Lord. We know that according to The Holy Bible, that The
Lord God accepted one of the OFFERINGS, while He rejected the other. I believe there
is an important lesson for us to learn, and that is, that Abel brought of the first
which God did accept, while Cain did not, thus Cain was reproved and rejected.

In Ephesians 5:10 we are told, and I believe very importantly, that, we should be
at all times, "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord". We do need to know and
understand what is required and pleasing to our Lord, and what is displeasing to
Him, in order that we might think, say and do what is good, acceptable, and perfect according
to the will of God (see: Romans 12:1-2). Now that we have presented some fundamental
groundwork, let us now look into our subject of TITHES and OFFERINGS.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

There is a difference between TITHES and OFFERINGS, not only in language but most
especially in spirit. A TITHE means ten percent of all benefits that come our way,
such as, our salary, inheritance, gifts and even the interest one might earn on bank
accounts, etc.

REMOVING FROM THE TOP

Yes, all that enhances you financially, needs to be presented before the Lord God
in thanksgiving. Remove from the top, ten percent, and cheerfully and willingly
present it to the Lord as your TITHE and bring it into 'the storehouse', i.e., your
congregation, temple, church, your place of study or worship, etc.
When you have faithfully discharged your duty in respect of your TITHES, then look
for the many blessings to follow.

THE LORD PROMISES

The Lord promises you in Malachi 3:10, that He will "open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it".

In the New Testament we read in Luke 6:38 ...that when you are obedient to The Word
of God in your TITHES and OFFERINGS, then you should expect an abundance of blessings;
"Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that
ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again".

AS YOU TITHE

Therefore, as you TITHE, the Almighty God promises to likewise bless you; on the other
hand, if you do not, then you are robbing God. The end result is recorded in Holy
Writ, "Ye are cursed with a curse" (Malachi 3:9).
I don't know about you, but I want to be blessed of God as often as possible, and
not cursed. It's up to you, whether you will be totally obedient or disobedient.

THE OFFERINGS

The OFFERINGS given unto the Lord God need to be over and above your ten percent TITHE;
by this I mean, once you have responded in the area of your TITHES, now you have
the freedom to graciously give your MINCHAH (OFFERING) as you are directed and made
aware of by The Spirit of God as to the particular need or needs, that are presented
to you through your congregation, church, or fellowship.

Please remember that both the TITHES and OFFERINGS need to be given in your congregation
or church, "Bring ye all the TITHES into the storehouse", and wait for the blessings.

The Lord God's 'Storehouse' can also include ministries that promote and propagate the Gospel of Y'shua (Jesus) 'to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile' (Romans 1:16), such as Shalom Scripture Studies, Inc., has been dedicated for over 40 years in so doing.

Please take a moment to ask the Lord for guidance and direction in prayerfully and financially helping us in this wonderful heavenly endeavor, here on earth. Our web site alone reaches out to the entire world with the Good News of our Messiah day and night.

We also conduct a teaching ministry through our literature and video programs that are looked into on a daily basis. It is all of the Lord, it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118: 22-24).

AT SHALOM SCRIPTURE STUDIES

At Shalom Scripture Studies we have a unique custom, and that is, we do not pass an
offering plate during our services, but rather we choose to let The LORD God
speak to your heart, and in turn allow you the opportunity to willingly and cheerfully
give. In our congregation, at our Shalom Chapel, we have a Pushka (a receiving box)
at the entrance of our Shul (Chapel). The Lord God Himself will bless you as you
are obedient in word and in deed in bringing cheerfully your TITHES and OFFERINGS
unto the LORD our God.

As a result of your obedience unto The Almighty God, here is a beautiful promise that
I am sure you will find extremely wonderful and full of grace, found in Malachi chapter
three and verse eleven.

AND I WILL

"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits
of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field;
saith the Lord of Hosts". Shalom (Peace) in our Messiah Y'shua (Jesus).